ting with Jc. Her briefcase felt heavy in her hand, filled with

e front door an

y, she hea

nd coming from the second

ning staff came on Tuesd

railing. The door to the Master Suite-the room Arland had i

pped in th

was standing by the bed, instruct

and over the mattress. "I prefer Egyptian cotton. The th

f blood to her head.

e of Arland's. It swallowed her small frame,

er mouth, feigning surprise. "I didn't h

?" Isolde's v

es wide and innocent. "The paparazzi broke into my lobby.

"I changed the door code to the suite. Ju

ith Arland. The bed they were supposed to share as hus

behind Isolde, toweling dry his hair. He was wearing sweatp

d, his voice tig

ed, not turning to look at hi

them, shielding Emilie. "Her building manager called. So

ght her to o

completely devoid of emotional intelligence. "It has reinforced steel doors and pa

a dry, humorless sound

," sh

blinked

t," Isolde

ha

ty percent. It was part of my compensation package as lead restorer for the Rhodes Col

ey? Isolde, you know I don't care about t

Consider it rent. Or a security fee. I want fifteen m

He found only a cold business transaction. He wanted to end the conflict. He w

"Fine. If that's what i

r. He was wealthy enough that fifteen million

er, Isolde's

tification. $15,00

t him to Emilie, who was watching

safety," I

ked out, leaving them in the b